What to Expect at Frieze New York

Each spring, New York’s artistic center shifts north, from Chelsea to Randall’s Island, across the Harlem River between Manhattan and the Bronx. Why the migration? Frieze New York, the annual art fair that gathers work from more than 1,000 leading contemporary artists from around the world. Here’s what to expect from Frieze New York in 2017 (held from May 5th to 7th).

What to See at Frieze New York

A lot of multimedia

This isn’t a mere collection of paintings. Frieze New York showcases video, audio and performance art, often mixed and matched and fused in unexpected ways. Case in point: Jan Vorisek. Zurich’s Galerie Bernhard will show an intriguing new installation from the Swiss artist, melding sculpture, installation, performance, improvised music and noise on a stage-like platform.

A secret movie theater

Canadian artist Jon Rafman is transforming his booth into a (not-so) secret movie theater. Art watchers will see a new series of short films made with 3D animation and amateur CGI effects.

Art that complicates perceptions of reality

Croatian born Dora Budor will be using cinematic doubling effects to alter our perceptions of what’s really happening.

A tribute to one of Rome’s leading galleries

Frieze New York is commemorating Galleria La Tartaruga in Rome and its pivotal 1968 exhibition “Il Teatro delle Mostre.” The tribute space will restage two pioneering projects from that exhibition, Giosetta Fironi’s “La Spia Ottica” and Fabio Mauri’s “Luna.” Ryan McNamara and Adam Pendleton have contributed commissioned alterations for the pieces, which feature a literal peephole into an artist’s studio and walkable moonscape, respectively.

A spotlight on 20th Century Avant Garde

Multiple galleries will be looking back at individual avant garde artists of the 20th Century. Don’t miss the booth from London’s Grosvener Gallery. The gallery will exhibit works by South African-born Dumile Feni. After the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960, Feni took to sketching to depict the horrors of Apartheid, ultimately becoming a major figure in the Modern South African art world.

Really good food

With food from New York icons like Roberta’s pizza, Frankies Spuntino, Marlow & Sons, Russ & Daughters and Sant Ambroeus, Frieze has some serious lunch options. The restaurant vendor list is so long that you may spend more time eating than looking at the art.